German Weishaupt Secured Victory at Global Champions Tour in Front of Schönbrunn Palace

Austrian show jumpers were unable to compete for victory in the main event of the Global Champions Tour (GCT). The four local starters missed the jump-off in the Grand Prix of Vienna, which was endowed with 308,600 euros, on Saturday evening at Schönbrunn Palace. The victory, worth just over 100,000 euros, was claimed by the German Philipp Weishaupt.

Austrians missed the jump-off in the GP at Schönbrunn

Max Kühner on EIC Cooley Jump the Q (29th) and Katharina Rhomberg on Cuma 5 (31st) recorded two knockdowns, Markus Saurugg (36th/Obora's Crunchy Nut) three, and Magdalena Fischer (Chappeloup) withdrew. "It's really bitter, more so than elsewhere, because I experienced such a great audience, and I wanted to offer them something," Kühner said in an APA interview.

The 51-year-old was the penultimate rider to enter the course, had an early knockdown, and thus missed the chance for the jump-off of the twelve faultless riders. "Cooley has a lot of blood and spirit, and I think he was over-motivated. He had the jump curve, he jumped high enough, but he jumped a bit too fast," Kühner analyzed his ride.

Kühner: "I would have liked to offer more"

The winner of last year's GCT overall ranking therefore departs with mixed feelings. In the Global Champions League, the Shanghai Swans did not achieve a top result, he did not make it to the decision for victory in the main event, but there was a second place in the second most important jumping competition.

"Not a bad weekend for me, not a very good weekend either. But I will still have fond memories of it here, because it was one of the most beautiful tournaments of the whole year for me, because the Austrians and the Viennese were so enthusiastic. It was a great experience and I would have liked to offer even more," Kühner explained.

Weishaupt fastest in the jump-off

In the final, five riders remained faultless again, Weishaupt prevailed on Kilmister in 40.85 seconds ahead of the Dutchman Harrie Smolders (41.96) and the Irishman Bertram Allen (42.31).

(APA/Red)

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